OBJECTIVETo prepare kappa-carrageenan-chitosan polyelectrolyte gel pellets and detect the effects of formulation and preparation factors on in vitro drug release from the pellets.

METHODThe K-carrageenan-chitosan polyelectrolyte gel pellets with baicalin as model drug were prepared by ionotropic gelation technique. The ratio of kappa-carrageenan/chitosan in pellets was determined with the composite of K-carrageenan and chitosan. The effects of the concentration of K-carrageenan, the ratio of drug/kappa-carrageenan, the concentration of gelling solution, gelling time and drying method on the release of pellets were determined by in vitro drug release.

RESULTThe mass ratio of K-carrageenan/chitosan in pellets was 6: 4. Release of the pellets in 0.1 mol x L(-1) HCl was about 10% for 2 hours and fast in PBS, indicating a typical sustained release property. The pellets released less with the increase in the concentration of K-carrageenan, the ratio of drug/kappa-carrageenan and the concentration of KCl. They also released less with the increase in gelling time, but showed little effect until 1 hour. The release of the pellets prepared by the freeze-drying method was much faster than those by vacuum drying and atmospheric drying methods which had little influence on drug release.

CONCLUSIONThe K-carrageenan-chitosan polyelectrolyte gel pellets had sustained release property. Their drug release rate could be regulated with different formulation and preparation factors.

Carrageenan ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Desiccation ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Electrolytes ; chemistry ; Gels ; Microspheres ; Potassium Chloride ; chemistry ; Time Factors

In order to make sure whether Panax notoginseng is sensitive to chloridion and guide fertilization in planting of P. notoginseng, the effects of the different proportion of potassium chloride (KCl) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4) on the yield, quality of P. notoginseng were studied. The results showed that K fertilizer significantly improved the growth of P. notoginseng and increased the biomass per plant or per pot and the content of N, P, K and the content of saponin. In cases of conditions such as potassium, and the effects of K2SO4 on increasing the petiole length, leaf size, rhizome length, root length, and content and accumulation of Ginsenoside Rg1 were better than those of KCl. While compared with K2SO4, KCl was more conducive to augmenting height, root width, the biomass of shoot, rhizome, root and the content of Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rd. There was not remarkable difference in agronomic characters, biomass and the content of N, P, K among KCl, K2SO4 and the combination of KCl and K2SO4. However, the content of saponin of the treatment with combination of KCl and K2SO4 was significant higher than that of single KCl or K2SO4 treatments. K fertilizer significantly increased yield and the content of saponins. And P. notoginseng was not sensitive to chloridion. KCl increased the yield and the content of saponins of P. notoginseng as well as K2SO4, and the combination treatment was superior to single treatment. It is recommended that the KCl should be adopted in production, to reduce the cost of potash fertilizer.
Agriculture ; Fertilizers ; analysis ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Potassium Chloride ; analysis ; metabolism ; Quality Control ; Soil ; chemistry ; Sulfates ; analysis ; metabolism

In order to investigate the effects of pyrolysis conditions on bio-oil production from biomass in molten salt, experiments of biomass pyrolysis were carried out in a self-designed reactor in which the molten salt ZnCl2-KCl (with mole ratio 7/6) was selected as heat carrier, catalyst and dispersion agent. The effects of metal salt added into ZnCl2-KCl and biomass material on biomass pyrolysis were discussed, and the main compositions of bio-oil were determined by GC-MS. Metal salt added into molten salt could affect pyrolysis production yields remarkably. Lanthanon salt could enhance bio-oil yield and decrease water content in bio-oil, when mole fraction of 5.0% LaCl3 was added, bio-oil yield could reach up to 32.0%, and water content of bio-oil could reduce to 61.5%. The bio-oil and char yields were higher when rice straw was pyrolysed, while gas yield was higher when rice husk was used. Metal salts showed great selectivity on compositions of bio-oil. LiCl and FeCl2 promoted biomass to pyrolyse into smaller molecular weight compounds. CrCl3, CaCl2 and LaCl3 could restrain second pyrolysis of bio-oil. The research provided a scientific reference for production of bio-oil from biomass pyrolysis in molten salt.
Biofuels ; analysis ; Bioreactors ; microbiology ; Catalysis ; Chlorides ; chemistry ; Lanthanum ; chemistry ; Lipids ; biosynthesis ; Oryza ; metabolism ; Plant Stems ; metabolism ; Potassium Chloride ; chemistry ; Salts ; chemistry ; Zinc Compounds ; chemistry

AIMTo study sandwiched osmotic pump tablet for delivering water-insoluble drug for 24 hours.

METHODSSandwiched osmotic pump tablet was prepared using nifedipine as the model drug. The effects of various formulation variables and orifice size on drug release were studied. The mechanical properties of cellulose acetate membrane were also investigated.

RESULTSPolyethylene oxide of drug layer and potassium chloride of push layer showed marked positive effects on drug release. In the range of 0.50 mm to 1.40 mm, orifice size hardly affects drug release. Cellulose acetate membrane is strong enough to assure the integrity of osmotic pump tablet and could sustain an internal pressure ranging from 0.34 MPa to 2.85 MPa.

CONCLUSIONSandwiched osmotic pump tablet can deliver water-insoluble drug constantly for 24 hours. Release media and agitation rate scarcely affect drug release. Compared with the commercialized push-pull osmotic pump tablet, sandwiched osmotic pump tablet is easy in preparation with exempting identification of drug layer before drilling.

Cellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Nifedipine ; administration & dosage ; Osmosis ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Potassium Chloride ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Tablets ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

AIMTo study unitary-core osmotic pump tablet for delivering water-insoluble drug for 24 hours.

METHODSUnitary-core osmotic pump tablet was prepared using nifedipine as the model drug. The effects of various core formulation variables on drug release were studied.

RESULTSPolyethylene oxide and potassium chloride have comparable positive effects on drug release, whereas, nifedipine has markedly negative effect on drug release.

CONCLUSIONUnitary-core osmotic pump tablet is very easy in preparation and it can deliver water-insoluble drug in substantially constant rate for 24 hours.

Calcium Channel Blockers ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Nifedipine ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Osmosis ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Potassium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Solubility ; Tablets ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

BACKGROUND: Serum separator tubes were introduced 25 years ago and are widely used in the clinical laboratory for collection of blood. Recently, the plastic serum separator tube has become available for blood collection for lightening and flexibility and suitability for automation. However few studies have been reported on stability of the common analytes in this tube. METHODS: We evaluated the concentrations of seventeencommonly ordered analytes: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, sodium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, potassium, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol, glucose, creatinine in sera separated in plain glass tubes (no gel) and in sera separated in the plastic Greiner Bio-One Vacuette tubes containing serum separator gel (Greiner Bio-One, Kremsm?nster, Austria) by Toshiba 200-FR Neo. RESULTS: Results were analyzed using two-tailed paired t-tests and Bland-Altman plots. Results from 9 common analytes (glucose, total cholesterol, BUN, potassium, LDL-cholesterol, inorganic phosphorus, calcium, sodium, chloride) were statistically different between glass tube and plastic Greiner Bio-One Vacuette tube, but the differences were not considered to be clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the plastic Greiner Bio-One Vacuette tubes are suitable for collection of blood and storage of serum for common analytes.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Automation ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Calcium ; Calcium Chloride ; Chemistry, Clinical* ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Glass* ; Glucose ; Lipoproteins ; Phosphorus ; Plastics ; Pliability ; Potassium ; Sodium ; Triglycerides ; Uric Acid

To expand the donor pool, organ donation after cardiac death (DCD) has emerged. However, kidneys from DCD donors have a period of long warm ischemia between cardiac arrest and the harvesting of the organs. Recently, we used extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to minimize ischemic injury during 'no touch' periods in a Maastricht category II DCD donor and performed two successful kidney transplantations. The kidneys were procured from a 49-yr-old male donor. The warm ischemia time was 31 min, and the time of maintained circulation using ECMO was 7 hr 55 min. The cold ischemia time was 9 hr 15 min. The kidneys were transplanted into two recipients and functioned immediately after reperfusion. The grafts showed excellent function at one and three months post-transplantation; serum creatinine (SCr) levels were 1.0 mg/dL and 0.8 mg/dL and the estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) were 63 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 78 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the first recipient, and SCr levels were 1.1 mg/dL and 1.0 mg/dL and eGFR were 56 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 64 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the second recipient. In conclusion, it is suggested that kidney transplantation from a category II DCD donor assisted by ECMO is a reasonable modality for expanding donor pool.
Adult ; *Death ; *Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Glucose/chemistry ; Humans ; *Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Mannitol/chemistry ; Middle Aged ; *Organ Preservation ; Potassium Chloride/chemistry ; Procaine/chemistry ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Tissue Donors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate salt tolerance of seedlings of 4 medicinal C. morifolium cultivars to be transplanted, and to expand the planting area.

METHODSeedlings were cultivated in hoagland nutrient solution containing various concentrations of NaCl for 30 days. The height, dry weight and chlorophyll content were investigated. Identification index mainly in relative growth rate, the evaluation of NaCl effects on the growth, K+, Na+ and Cl- distribution in seedlings were surveyed.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe salt tolerance was difference among four cultivars of C. morifolium. The salt tolerance of "Dabaiju" and "Changbanju" was weak, while "Hongxinju" and "Xiaobaiju" was strong. "Hongxinju" and "Xiaobaiju" may be planted in salinte soil area.

Chlorine ; metabolism ; Chlorogenic Acid ; metabolism ; Chrysanthemum ; classification ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Potassium ; metabolism ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Sodium ; metabolism ; Sodium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVEHypoxia/KCl injury model in the cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (CMs) was established to investigate the protective effect of Lycium barbanun Glycopeptide (LbGp) on calcium overload.

METHODCultured neonatal rat CMs were divided into three groups, namely normal control, hypoxia groups and LbGp-treated group. CMs in LbGp-treated group and hypxia group were cultured in an incubator ventilated with 95% N2 and 5% CO2 with or without LbGP. CMs viability under hypoxia was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetry (MTT). The intracellular free calcium concentration in cardiomyocytes was measured by laser confocal microscope with Fura-3/AM as a calcium indicator. The protective effects of LbGp on the CMs treated by KCl (60 mmol x L(-1)) was observed.

RESULTAs compared with normal controls, the degree of MTT metabolism was significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in hypoxic group and slightly reduced in LbGp (P < 0.05). Hypoxia-induced enhancement of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) was attenuated by LbGp significantly (P < 0.01). Moreover, KCl-induced enhancement of [Ca2+]i was also reduced by LbGp at the doses of 25, 50, 100 microg x mL(-1) in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONThe result suggested that LbGp is able to increase the survival ratio and inhibit the enhancement of the intracellular free calcium concentration in cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia and high potassium. One of the mechanisms is that LbGp acts on L-type calcium channels.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Glycopeptides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lycium ; chemistry ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Potassium Chloride ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo study effects of proanthocyanidins (PA) on contractile activity of isolated aortic smooth muscle in rats and rabbit platelet aggregation.

METHODSIsolated rat aortic muscle rings were adopted to observe the effects of PA on their contraction induced by noradrenaline (NA) or KCl, and their tensions were recorded by BL-310 experimental system of biological function. Rabbit platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and collagen (Coll) was assayed by turbidimetry.

RESULTSPA could significantly inhibit the contraction induced by NA (10(-6) mol/L), low the concentration-response curves of NA and the maximal response on the endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded aortic rings. But PA couldn't relax the aortic rings precontracted with KCl and had no influence on rabbit platelet aggregation induced by AA, ADP, and Coll.

CONCLUSIONPA can inhibit the contraction induced by NA but not by KCl on isolated rat aortic rings. It also has no influence on rabbit platelet aggregation.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; physiology ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Potassium Chloride ; pharmacology ; Proanthocyanidins ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Vitis ; chemistry